Thursday, May 21, 2009

wolframalpha!

Thought I'd share a cool new website I discovered, wolframalpha.com, that is kind of like a cross between wikipedia and google....you can enter any date, place, equation, etc, and it will spit out all kinds of cool information....unlike wikipedia, it actually can compute....

I had fun exploring around on the site (my computer geek side coming out), and think that it has the potential to be as big as wikipedia if it catches on....

One section I really liked was the Health and Fitness section located here

In that section, you can:
  •  estimate your calories burned during a run
  • compute your body mass index
  • see what your  risk of heart disease is
  • see if you're too drunk to drive
  • compare mortality rates between countries
  • estimate conception or due dates for a pregnancy
  • and so much more....
Very cool stuff.  Enjoy!

Running Update
I ran 4 miles yesterday in the late afternoon heat of the day.  I was dumb and didn't take any water.  After 2 miles I was parched and I spent the last two miles looking for any sprinklers or hoses that might be on (never found any).   I also got chased by a pit bull.  I hate it when people don't keep their dogs fenced or tied up.

Today I was up before 6:00 and ran 3 miles in the cool air of the early morning. It felt great and was perfect running weather.   I carried a full water bottle in my hand, not because I thought I'd need water, but more as an experiment, to see how I liked hand carrying as opposed to using a fuel belt.  The conclusion was that although it wasn't too bothersome, it will take some getting used to if I'm going to do it regularly.

Other stuff

For all you American Idol fans, yay Kris!  I was glad he won.  He will have a broader appeal, and I like his humble spirit.

Today is the last day of school for my two boys.  I can't believe it. Where has the school year gone?   I am going to take tomorrow off from work to spend the first day of summer with them doing something fun.


9 comments:

Melanie Tait said...

Oz - I think you've just introduced me to a website I'm going to need an extra 20 minutes a day for! How cool is that!?

Good work on the runs, but grrrrrrrrrr to people that don't have dogs locked up. Especially when said dogs are PITBULLS.

ShutUpandRun said...

I was glad (and surprised!) that Kris won too.

So - I was contemplating carrying a water bottle too now that it is hotter. I've been getting so parched during my runs this week. I think I'll give that hand held thing a try.

Diana said...

American Idol was awesome last night!

RunToTheFinish said...

agreed the water bottle thing takes a little adjustment. I am finally getting used to it

Lisa said...

I'll have to try out that website. However, the name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue. To catch on, people have to remember it (not everyone relies on their bookmarks).

I have never run with a hand held, only a fuel belt. There are days when a fuel belt is too much.

American Idol was a great show last night. It may have been the first results show that I didn't fast forward through. I really enjoyed all the entertainment and like Kris' mom, almost forgot why I was watching. I am not surprised Kris won. Danny Gokey fans are way more likely to vote for Kris. I still think Adam is extremely talented.

Jess said...

Hmmm, that website looks like an excellent time waster.

Nice job on the two runs!

joyRuN said...

Sounds like a dangerous website for me - I love looking up trivia :)

Hate hate hate loose dog encounters on the run! I don't think I can outrun one, unfortunately.

I'm contemplating a handheld water bottle instead of my hydration belt. Let us know how it goes as you get used to it!

Unknown said...

I hate when people let their dogs run around like that. I've had to start carrying pepper spray during my long runs because of it.

Like you, I'm kind of on the fence about whether I prefer carrying handhelds bottles or waist packs. I'm still not sure.

Erin said...

Wolframalpha is based out of my hometown and my stepdad went to the inaugural launch party on Monday night. I haven't tried it out yet, but it's getting good reviews I guess!

I have a water bottle with a sweat-band type handstrap on it that I use for short runs. I like the strap because it allows to me to not have to clench the bottle tightly but still have it feel secure.